Competitive advantage through Six Sigma at plastic injection molded parts manufacturing unit

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the successful application of Six Sigma at a small and medium scale plastic parts manufacturing unit. Overall operational excellence is one of the foundations of global competiveness. Indian industries are also keeping up with achieving and maintaining operational excellence through different improvement tools and methodologies. Plastic parts manufacturing industries in India are also on the move to increase their overall quality, productivity and profitability. However, it appears from the available literature that application of Six Sigma, one of the most effective breakthrough improvement strategies having direct impact on bottom line of the organization, is not being explored to its full potential, especially at plastic parts manufacturing industries in India. This study was thus undertaken at plastic products manufacturing plant to introduce Six Sigma to them by applying the same to their chronic problems and drawing improvements in quality, productivity and profitability. Design/methodology/approach This paper illustrates the real-life case study of improving quality and productivity of injection molding process by phase wiz application of define, measure, analyze, improve and control, the process improvement methodology of Six Sigma. Findings The critical defects, such as short molding, contamination, injection point and flash are reduced from the process leading to annual savings of INR 10.80 lacs. This is a considerable amount for a small concern in question. Research limitations/implications Because this was the pilot project and the firm was of small and medium size, data collection was the major issue, which consequently took considerable time and efforts at define and measure phases. Injection molding is a very salient process for plastic products manufacturing. Almost one-third of plastic products are made by this process. Thus, improving quality of products made out of injection molding process is of paramount importance. The paper is an attempt to exhibit how a small-scale plastic injection molded parts manufacturing unit can put fruitful efforts to achieve competitive advantage through Six Sigma. Originality/value From the review of literature, it appears that application of Six Sigma among plastic parts manufacturing units, especially small and medium, is very rare, not in India but across the globe. This case study has opened up the direction to small- and medium-scale plastic parts manufacturing units to implement Six Sigma and to move a step forward toward achieving competitive advantage.